The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the lead body for the UK wine and spirits sectors, has announced the appointment of Miles Beale as its new chief executive.

Beale joins the WSTA from DEFRA where he is currently deputy director for EU and International agriculture policy. He was previously deputy director for European and global issues at the Cabinet Office and spent much of the earlier part of his career at the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Beale has worked across a broad range of public policy, including urban regeneration and social exclusion, and has been involved in significant negotiations at national and European level. He has also worked with senior ministers in successive governments.

Beale will join the WSTA in June. Gavin Partington will continue as interim chief executive until then.